My Secret Sky - Africa in Motion Film Festival is launched

It may have only been going for four years, but the Africa in Motion (AiM) Festival is doing both its originating and host country proud. AiM’s founder and director Lizelle Bisschoff was literally beaming with pride as she announced last night that the UN have asked them to present a report on the festival in 2010. Even a quick glance at the brochure begins to explain why; the UK’s largest African film festival, it is largely volunteer run, and screens cinema from all over the vast continent – and not just from the usual suspects.

Opening film My Secret Sky is a good choice. It manages to realistically portray many of the aspects of South African life, without falling into the all too easy trap of concentrating solely on the negative aspects.(Something Scottish filmmakers could do with remembering occasionally, before they make yet another film about something bleak happening to someone downtrodden.)

Hailed as South Africa's answer to Slumdog Millionaire, the young leads here actually do a better job of portraying a convincing relationship than in Boyle's award winner, both with each other and with the street kids they find themselves adpoted by. Orphaned and exploited by a greedy relative, Khwezi and Thembi set off for the big city to sell their late mother's woven mat. A simple tale, made original by the skillful character creation and passionate performances - especially Tshepang Mohlomi as street gang leader Chili-Bite.

The same lack of pretension was evident in the entire premiere event, where it was obvious the organisers had arranged the various entertainments and treats because they actually enjoyed them personally. Drumming, baskets of African food, glasses of South African wine, and art exhibitions - that again, challenged and broadened, rather than following cliche. AiM has achieved a great deal in such a short time; this year they're taking the show on the road, touring to Galloway and the Isle of Skye (amongst other places), as well as running a short film competition with entries from countries that we're often not even aware of. Allowing such stories to reach an international audience is what cinema is all about.